Sports binocular assembly

[0001] This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/868,686 filed Jun. 15, 2004 now U.S. Pat. No. 7,031,068 which is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/633,936 filed Aug. 4, 2003 now abandoned which was a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 10/117,989 filed Apr. 6, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,603 which was a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 09/523,213 filed Mar. 10, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,369,958. Application Ser. Nos. 10/868,686, 10/633,936, 10/117,989 and 09/523,213 are hereby incorporated by reference.

[0002] 1. Field of the Invention

[0003] The present invention relates to sporting event viewing accessories and more particularly to a sports binocular viewing assembly that can include an adjustable head securing strap, a user tuneable radio with earphones, and a binocular assembly connected to the adjustable head securing strap by at least one positioning arm.

[0004] 2. Description of the Prior Art

[0005] It is often desirable to use binoculars for better viewing the action while attending sporting events and the like. Although binoculars provide a useful mechanism for enhancing viewing of the event, they are often bothersome because the user must continuously dedicate at least one hand to supporting the binoculars. It would be a benefit, therefore, to have a binocular assembly that included a hands free support mechanism for supporting the binoculars in front of the user's eyes without using any of the user's hands.

[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a sports binocular assembly that includes an adjustable head securing strap, a removable or fixed user tuneable radio with fixed or removable earphones, and a binocular assembly connected to the adjustable head securing strap by at least one positioning arm, the binocular assembly extending from the positioning arm or arms from an angle of around zero to around ninety-five degrees.

[0007] The present invention can optionally contain fixed or removable parts such as a camera, a zoom lens, an image stabilization system for camera/binocular elements, and a lens cover.

[0011] FIGS. 1–3 show views of an embodiment of the present invention containing a user tuneable radio and/or a digital music device 26. The adjustable headstrap 32, radio 26, earphones 15, and binocular elements 36 can be clearly seen. The earphones 15 can optionally be noise-canceling. The binocular elements can be optionally adjusted for each user's different eye width specifications. The radio 26 can have a volume control button and tuner frequency control button, as well as a station indicator display and optionally a microphone. The radio tuner can monitor any type of radio frequency signal and can be permanently, or removably, attached to the headstrap 32 assembly. The radio can contain a transmitter as well as a receiver. It is within the scope of the present invention to attach the radio 26 to the binocular elements 36. The positioning arm or arms 12 can hold binocular lenses 36 as well as an optional lens cover 20 that can protect the lenses. This lens cover 20 can be fixed or removably attached to the lens assembly or could mount on a hinge where it could be swung out of the binocular lens field when not in use. This lens cover can be optionally tinted for glare protection. An optional binocular focusing knob (not shown) can be mounted anywhere on the binocular assembly. It is also within the scope of the present invention to use a fixed binocular focusing mechanism without focus knob or mechanism or automatic focusing.

[0012] The present invention may also contain a removable, or fixed camera. The preferred embodiment of the invention normally has the camera located within the binocular lens assembly 36; however, it is within the scope of the invention to place the camera anywhere on the apparatus. The camera can be mechanical, electronic, or digital. A button can be placed anywhere on the apparatus to activate the camera and take a photo. It is also within the scope of the invention to use an electronic camera that can capture a series of images in succession, using a method generally known as progressive shutter capture. The electronic images can be stored in an electronic memory contained in the apparatus, or in a removable memory such as removable memory cards, or by any other storage means. The camera can also be an electronic camera with a remote button (a button not mounted on the apparatus) that causes it to take a photo or series of photos. The camera can be self-adjusting or manually adjusted.

[0013] A sports binocular assembly has been provided that can include an adjustable head securing strap, a user tuneable radio with earphones, and a binocular assembly connected to the adjustable head securing strap by at least one positioning arm, where the binocular elements can extend from the positioning arm or arms at an angle of from around zero to around ninety-five degrees.

[0014] The embodiment of the sports binocular assembly described here is of course subject to many different variations in structure, design, application and methodology. Because many varying and different embodiments may be made within the scope of the inventive concepts taught, and because many modifications may be made in the embodiments described, these variations and different embodiments are within the scope of the present invention.